Hollice Royal Laney

Funeral services for Hollice Royal Laney, 76, of Cullman were Monday, April 6, 2009, at Cullman Funeral Home Chapel, the Revs. James Anderton and Steve Rodgers officiating. Interment was in Blair Congregational Methodist Cemetery.Cullman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.Mr. Laney passed away Saturday, April 4, at Woodland Medical Center. He was born Nov. 3, 1932, to Henry G. and Velma Laney. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. After an injury, he was retired from the military service Aug. 31, 1952, and received a Purple Heart. He earned a bachelor of science degree in math and history from Jacksonville State University. At Athens State, he earned a master of arts degree in history. He also received his doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University. He taught in the Cullman County School System that included Jones Chapel Junior High School, Good Hope and West Point high schools. He taught math and history at Wallace State College where he was the department head for history. He was a member of Blair Methodist Church. He was a previous chairman of the Cullman County Smith Lake Park Board. He was a past master of the Masonic Lodge of West Point, a member of the York Rite and the Shriners of the Zamora Temple.He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter; and an infant son.Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Milda Posey Laney; a brother, Clyde (Mary Francis) Laney; two daughters, Sheila (Mike) Whitlock and Sherry Franklin; three grandchildren, Trey Whitlock, Lindsay Whitlock and Cody Franklin; and a host of family and friends.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Royal Laney Scholarship Fund at Wallace State Community College.Pallbearers will be Cody Franklin, Trey Whitlock, Wyatt Pettus, Jamin Laney, Mike Whitlock and Sam Franklin.Honorary pallbearers will be Robert S. Davis Jr., Jake Bailey and Tom Burleson.Visitation was Sunday evening at the funeral home.Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.cullmantimes.com.